Japan's new security laws took effect on Tuesday, enabling its troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two. The laws largely expand the role of the Self-Defense Forces overseas.
日本新安保法案周二正式生效，二战后首次允许其军队进行海外作战。新法案很大程度地扩大日本自卫队的海外职权范围。

The country is now allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense -- or coming to the aid of the United States and other nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not. But the law remains controversial among members of the public, who fear it could erode Japan's post-war pacifism. Hundreds of people, including high school students, joined protests across the country over the weekend.
该国如今可以行使集体自卫权，即日本可以在美国或其他盟国遭受武装袭击时提供支援，及时日本本身未受攻击。但是该法案目前仍在日本大众当中饱受争议，他们担心这将打破日本战后和平主义的基本原则。本周末，日本全国范围内有数百名群众，包括高中生，举行了抗议活动。
A survey conducted by Japan's Kyodo news agency indicates nearly half of the population voted "No" for the change.
日本共同通讯社进行的一项调查表明将近日本人对这一变化持反对态度。